What we do
Two key initiatives to serve the underserved.
Vidya Jyoti
Education & skill development
- Merit scholarships and structured exam coaching for promising government-school students
- Community learning centres with computers and quiet study space, for competitive exam preparation — IIT-JEE, NEET, TNPSC, UPSC and others
- Mentorship, internships and placement support toward a first job
Netra Jyoti
Free eye care
- Free eye checkups delivered through community camps close to home
- Cataract surgery at state-of-the-art facilities, using the phacoemulsification technique — a no-cut, no-stitch procedure. Patients are discharged the same day
- Free for deserving families from economically weaker sections — open to anyone in need
Vidya Jyoti · Merit Scholarship
Supporting meritorious students from underserved communities
As part of the Vidya Jyoti pilot across four government schools in Kadayanallur and Sengottai, Tenkasi district, the Foundation awards merit scholarships to meritorious students. Support extends well beyond tuition — funding a student's college education in full, and continuing through skill development, internships and placement assistance, so that each scholar moves confidently from college into employment.
Learn more
Our inspiration
Prof. G. Ramamurthy
The inspiration behind the programmes run by the Foundation.
- Educated at Ramakrishna Mission School, Chennai; earned his BSc in Chemistry as a rank holder at American College, Madurai, and a First Class Master's degree at Presidency College, Chennai.
- A Chartered Chemist, and elected Associate of the Royal Institute of Chemistry, London, in 1969.
- Taught chemistry for 33 years at The Madura College, building the department from an undergraduate teaching unit into a postgraduate research centre.
- Served as Principal of The Madura College from 1988 to 1993, a tenure that coincided with the college's Centenary in 1989.
- Mentored students from modest backgrounds, including K.A.H. Subramanian ("Hari"), who became a gold medallist and went on to retire as Chief Secretary of Bihar after an illustrious and impactful career in the IAS.
- His students include scientists, civil servants, professors and industry leaders across India and abroad.
- In 2026, at the Chemistry Department's Platinum Jubilee, he personally presented merit awards to a new generation of students, and continues to personally support the education of students from underserved backgrounds today.
"One teacher's confidence in a student can change the course of a family for generations."
Our story
Serving the community, long before there was a Foundation.
For many years, JayamHari Foundation's founders, together with friends and family, supported their community informally — without the structure of a registered non-profit. That commitment has now been formalised as JayamHari Foundation, but the work behind it goes back much further.
Over the years, this has included supporting the education of students from school through college, mentoring students during their college years, and organising eye camps and free cataract surgeries in Madurai, Kadayanallur and Sengottai.
The people behind it
Our Founders
KAH Subramanian
In Memoriam · Former Chief Secretary of Bihar, IAS 1968
The 'Hari' of JayamHari
Grew up in a modest background. His elder brother funded his schooling on a meagre salary, and his teacher, Guru and mentor later supported his higher studies. A gold medallist in BSc and MSc Chemistry, he cleared the UPSC on his first attempt and retired as the Chief Secretary of Bihar after an illustrious and impactful career. He taught us that love and kindness received are meant to be passed on.
Jayam Ramasubramanian
Founder and Patron · Former Lecturer in Philosophy
The 'Jayam' of JayamHari
Warm, nurturing and endlessly giving, she cares for everyone as her own. A dedicated lecturer in philosophy, she earned her MA, B.Ed and PhD while raising three children, devoting herself to her students until retiring in 2010.
Kartik Subramanian
Founder and Director
Holds a BE in Electronics and Communication from BIT Mesra and an MBA from Duke's Fuqua School of Business. After spending 19 years in the U.S. in various consulting capacities, he moved to India and headed a finance group at a U.S. investment firm. He has a keen interest in supporting the education of children from low-income families, mentors young professionals, and backs a para-badminton player ranked in the world's top 10.
Our advisors
Guided by experience.
Anand Subramanian
Consultant, Calgary, Canada
ASR Krishnan
Senior State Manager (Retd), Krishak Bharati Cooperative, Chennai, India
Delivery partners
Who we work with on the ground.
Our programmes are delivered through partnerships with organisations that already have the trust and the infrastructure our communities need.
Clinical partner — Netra Jyoti
Ponnammal Duraisamy Eye Hospital
Operated by Dr. D. Sundareswaran Eye Foundation LLP, under a signed MoU with JayamHari Foundation.
Skill development & placement — Vidya Jyoti
Skill Development and Placement Partners
Additional partners support mentorship, internships, and placement guidance for Vidya Jyoti scholars as they move from school toward employment.
Vidya Jyoti
Helping students choose with confidence.
Two areas we're developing alongside scholarships and mentorship, to give students a clearer view of what comes after school.
Aptitude Assessment
Before the Class 11 subject group is chosen
- Helps students understand their interests and strengths, not just their marks
- Designed to guide the Class 11 subject-group decision, made at Class 10
- We're evaluating structured assessment programmes to deliver this well
Career Introduction Courses
Short courses for Classes 10–12
- Hands-on introduction to a range of subjects and career paths
- Helps students make informed choices about what to pursue after school
- We're reviewing course providers to identify the right fit for our students
Moments from the ground
Gallery
Photographs from our work in the community.
Vidya Jyoti · Merit Scholarship
Investing in meritorious students from underserved communities.
Today, the scholarship is awarded to meritorious students at our four pilot schools in Kadayanallur and Sengottai. Our vision is to extend it further, to meritorious students beyond the pilot schools as well.
Get involved
Ways to support our work.
We welcome support through giving, partnership, mentorship, or referrals.
Individual donors
Fund a scholarship, a learning centre, or a cataract surgery.
Give one-time or recurring →Companies & employers
Fund programmes via CSR, or open doors to jobs for our college students.
Start a CSR partnership →Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does JayamHari Foundation work?
We're based in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Our Vidya Jyoti pilot programme is planned across 4 government schools in Kadayanallur and Sengottai, Tenkasi district. Netra Jyoti eye camps are open to anyone in need.
Is JayamHari Foundation a registered non-profit?
Yes — we're a Section 8 non-profit. CIN U85500TZ2025NPL035806 · PAN AAHCJ0294P · Darpan ID TN/2025/0831303.
How can companies structure their support?
Fund a programme via CSR, or open doors for our Vidya Jyoti college students through skilling projects, mentorship or internships. Please get in touch and we would be happy to discuss what suits your organisation.
Who is eligible for Netra Jyoti eye care?
Free checkups and cataract surgery are for deserving families from economically weaker sections — open to anyone in need. Eligibility is confirmed through income certificate, or relevant EWS documents. Please contact us if you have any questions.
How does a student apply for the Vidya Jyoti merit scholarship?
Eligible students can apply by writing to us with their Class 12 mark sheet, income certificate, and college allotment details. Headmasters and teachers are also welcome to write in with recommendations for deserving students. See the Contact section below to get in touch.
Is there a cost to apply for the scholarship?
No. Applying is completely free. The Foundation does not collect money at any stage of the process, and we do not have any third parties who represent us.
Can I support a scholarship with something other than money, like a laptop?
Yes. Individuals, corporates, and other donors can support a scholarship through monetary contributions, or by directly providing items such as laptops for a student's academic use.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Our 80G tax-exemption status is currently pending confirmation. We will update this page as soon as it is confirmed.
How can I volunteer or mentor a student?
Please write to us through the contact form below, and we'll be in touch to discuss how your time and skills can best support the initiatives.
Contact Us
Whether you wish to volunteer, partner with us or simply learn more about our work, we would love to hear from you.